Trading Statement And Related Information AFRICAN BANK INVESTMENTS LIMITED (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registered bank controlling company) (Registration number 1946/021193/06) Ordinary share code: ABL ISIN: ZAE000030060 Preference share code: ABLP ISIN: ZAE000065215 ("ABIL" or “the group”) AFRICAN BANK LIMITED (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registered bank) (Registration number 1975/002526/06) Company code: BIABL (“African Bank”) TRADING STATEMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION Trading statement Shareholders are advised that both headline earnings and earnings for the period are expected to increase by between 17% and 19% relative to the R2 339 million reported for the 2011 financial year. Similarly, headline earnings per share and earnings per share are expected to increase by between 17% and 19% relative to the 291,0 cents per share reported for the 2011 financial year. ABIL benefited from strong credit sales and advances growth through its expanded distribution and innovative products and a slower reduction in yield than in recent years. Cost growth, while higher than in previous years, remains well below revenue growth, resulting in positive operating leverage. The credit loss ratio was marginally up from that published in the interim results. The Retail unit (EHL) experienced sluggish sales as the economy slowed and consumers came under increasing pressure. However, its improving efficiencies and solid margins helped maintain the positive momentum achieved through operating leverage in the first half of the year. The group is comfortable that risk remains well controlled, from the perspective of the economic environment, recent legislative and regulatory developments, as well as credit quality. It is pleasing to note that the combination of regulatory scrutiny and heightened awareness by key players in the market have begun to curb excess supply of credit and that a slowdown of credit extension is evident in the most recent bureau information. ABIL’s own underwriting interventions during the year have been successful in achieving the group’s targeted risk adjusted returns and in further limiting its exposure to emerging risk in the market. ABIL continues to be actively engaged in discussions with the various regulatory and industry bodies about a range of issues to strengthen the sustainability of the credit industry. We welcome this debate and wholeheartedly support initiatives that seek to protect the consumer while enabling responsible access to credit. The National Credit Regulator has been conducting reviews of the underwriting processes and practices of credit providers. ABIL is satisfied that its policies and procedures are robust and are fully compliant with the requirements of the National Credit Act. The forecast financial information, on which this trading statement is based, has not been reviewed nor audited and reported on by ABIL’s external auditors. The full year results for the year ended 30 September 2012 are expected to be released on SENS and RNS on or about Monday, 19 November 2012. CONFERENCE CALL ABIL will hold a conference call for interested parties on Wednesday, 31 October 2012 at 16:30 (SA time). Conference call details Access numbers for participants dialling from their country: Live call 48 hour playback Code 2134# South Africa & Other South Africa & Other Toll 011 535 3600 011 305 2030 USA USA Toll-free 1 800 860 2442 1 412 317 0088 UK UK Toll-free 0 800 917 7042 0 808 234 6771 Queries: Investor Relations: Lydia du Plessis on 27 11 564 6991 or investor.relations@africanbank.co.za Media Relations: Louise Brugman on 27 83 504 1186 Midrand 31 October 2012 Sponsor RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited) Date: 31/10/2012 07:05:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.